Current News

by John McClaughry On February 10 VTDigger political columnist Jon Margolis declared that “the carbon tax is dead.” The Democratic leaders of the House and Senate have pretty clearly said “not this year, and Governor Scott has repeatedly promised a veto. Margolis wondered why the carbon tax opponents were so unwilling to declare victory, and move on.

Vermont Business Magazine Benchmark (www.benchmarkseniorliving.com), a human connection company and leading provider of senior living services in the Northeast, today announced that its Arbors at Shelburne memory care community in Shelburne, Vermont, has raised $2,880 for the Alzheimer’s Association. The funds raised will go towards Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging (SVCOA) today announced its implementation of the HomeMeds Medication Safety Program, a nationally-recognized, evidence-based medication management model that is expected to generate a range of benefits for older Vermonters and the healthcare provider network in Bennington and Rutland counties.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Health is making it easier for Vermonters who live in Franklin and Grand Isle counties to make sure their well water is safe to drink. While municipal water is tested on a regular basis, homeowners who drink water from wells need to test their own taps to find out if the water contains any contaminants.

Vermont Business Magazine Mary's Nutritionals, one of the leading producers and distributors of cannabinoid-infused beauty and wellness products based in Denver, has announced that it has partnered with popular lifestyle brand, Free People, to sell a variety of its hemp-derived CBD products in the retailer's Palm Springs, Calif., and Burlington, Vermont, locations.

Vermont Business Magazine Please join Mayor Weinberger and the Burlington Police Department Tuesday evening for a community conversation to discuss Burlington's recent progress in our fight against the opioid epidemic – and where we go from here. Burlington has begun to begun to make significant and hopeful progress in our fight against this epidemic: In 2018, opioid-related overdose fatalities declined by 50 percent in Chittenden County, even as they continued to rise in the rest of the state.

Vermont Business Magazine Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) and Terry Bicycles (Terry) are teaming up again to launch Wellness Revolution, a program designed to promote healthier lifestyles for Vermont women through cycling. Registration for the five-week program begins on March 18 and ends on April 5. Space is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We’re pleased to continue our partnership with Terry Bicycles to provide access to health and wellness through bicycling,” says Megan Peek, director of community relations and health education at BCBSVT. “No matter how long it’s been since they’ve ridden, we help program participants learn all aspects of cycling, from basic bike maintenance and repairs to safety and mindfulness.”

Vermont Business Magazine The owner of a St. Albans brewing company is named the 2019 Vermont Small Business Person of the Year. Steve Gagner, owner and founder of 14th Star Brewing Company is being recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration for employment growth, financial success, expansion and community involvement. The business plan for 14th Star Brewing Company was originally drafted on the back of a notebook by Gagner while he was serving in Afghanistan. Upon returning home to Vermont from deployment, Gagner and his best friend and fellow soldier Matt Kehaya, worked to refine the plan to make their dream of 14th Star Brewing Company a reality in 2012 (Gagner is majority owner). The brewery’s name signifies Vermont becoming the 14th state.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Systems, an employee-owned recreation management software company headquartered in Essex Junction, has received a workforce development grant of $150,353 through Department of Economic Development’s Vermont Training Program (VTP). The grant will be used to help train over 100 employees on their enterprise suite of software products. Vermont Systems’ parks and recreation software solutions are installed around the world for the U.S. military and across the country for municipalities and universities.

Vermont Business Magazine The farm families who own Cabot Creamery Co-operative are celebrating their Centennial in style with new packaging for their award-winning cheeses. The new modern-rustic feel for Cabot’s signature plaid honors the co-op’s proud past while looking to the future. For Cabot CEO Ed Townley, the new packaging “reflects the same attention to detail that goes into making our award-winning cheeses and our farmers’ unwavering commitment to quality. As we reach the next century mark, we remain focused on ensuring the next generation of family farmers are able to continue farming.”

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont leads the nation by a commanding margin as the top maple producing state. Total US maple syrup production in 2018 was 4.1 million gallons, with Vermont’s contribution accounting for more than 1.9 million of those gallons. In the spirit of friendly competition (‘tis the season of March Madness after all), Maple Open House Weekend, March 23 & 24, is a chance for Vermont sugar makers to do their victory dance while opening the doors of their sugarhouses for visitors traveling from near and far wanting to see, taste, and experience firsthand why people should think of Vermont first when they think of maple syrup.

Vermont Business Magazine It was crossover week for policy bills in the Vermont legislature. After a week long break for Town Meeting Day lawmakers returned to Montpelier and the policy committees worked diligently to pass their priority bills for 2019. Probably the most controversial hearing occured in Randolph, where the Senate Judiciary Committee heard from citizens on two gun safety proposals. The proposals, which would create purchase waiting periods and impose safe storage requirements, are being considered a year after Vermont passed landmark gun safety legislation in the wake of the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida.